This application is directed to connector assemblies and their use to connect fluid lines in chromatography systems. More particularly, certain configurations described herein are directed to a connector assembly which can provide a substantially fluid tight seal connection between two different chromatography fluid lines.
Chromatography systems often include many different internal connections between components of the system. These connections typically include compression nuts which need to be tightened a suitable amount to avoid leaks. Leaks are common as temperature changes in the systems can cause contraction and expansion of the nuts and other connections.
Certain illustrative configurations of fluid connectors and their components are described in more detail below. While not every possible configuration of a connector is shown, the connectors can be used to couple fluid lines to each other, to couple a fluid line to a chromatography column or to couple other components where fluid such as, for example, a gas in one component can desirably be transferred to a separate component of the system.
In one aspect, a connector assembly configured to fluidically couple two or more separate fluid lines to each other is provided. In some examples, the connector assembly comprises a first body comprising an internal locking member configured to rotate circumferentially between a first position and a second position, the first body comprising a first end, a second end and a channel between the first end and the second end, the first end configured to fluidically couple to a first fluid line, and a second body configured to couple to the internal locking member of the first body, the second body comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second body comprising an internal channel between the first end and the second end, the internal channel of the second body configured to receive a second fluid line and retain a selected length of the second fluid line in a fixed position outside of the first end of the second body, wherein the internal locking member of the first body is configured to couple the first body to the second body in the first position of the internal locking member to retain the second fluid line within the channel of the first body and to fluidically couple the first fluid line to the second fluid line, in which the internal locking member is configured to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the second body and the first body in the first position of the internal locking member.
In certain instances, the second body comprises an opening configured to expose a longitudinal section of the second fluid line when the second fluid line is inserted into the internal channel of the second body. In some examples, an outer diameter of the second body at the opening is larger than an outer diameter of the second body not at the opening. In other examples, the opening is sized and arranged to receive a removable retention device configured to engage the exposed section of the second fluid line in a first position of the retention device to retain the second fluid line in a fixed position within the second body.
In certain embodiments, the first body further comprises a first spring configured to provide a longitudinal force to the internal locking member to bias the internal locking member away from the first end of the first body in the second position of the internal locking member. In some examples, the internal locking member is configured as a locking collar that is configured to rotate circumferentially between the first position and the second position, in which the locking collar is further configured to move longitudinally toward the first end of the first body upon rotation from the second position to the first position. In other configurations, the first body further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the first body. In some instances, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the second body into the locking collar and are configured to move radially inward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the second position to the first position to engage outer surfaces of the second body and retain the second body to the first body through an interference fit between the locking balls and the second body. In other instances, the locking collar is configured to rotate circumferentially to move the locking collar to a third position configured to provide a longitudinal force toward the first end of the first body to retain the second body to the first body and provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the second body and the first body.
In some examples, the third position of the locking collar is configured to provide the longitudinal force against a plurality of disc springs positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the first body, the plurality of disc springs configured to maintain the substantially fluid tight seal with temperature changes. In some embodiments, each of the disc springs comprises a nickel chromium alloy. In some examples, the first end of the second body is configured to receive a fitting sized and arranged to receive the second fluid line through an opening in the fitting.
In some configurations, the first body further comprises a column lock housing, a lock ball cage configured to couple to the column lock housing, the lock ball cage configured to receive the pair of locking balls, and a spacer configured to couple to the lock ball cage and the locking collar, in which the spacer is further configured to spatially position at least one rotating ball within the first body. In some examples, the first body further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple to the second body and retain the first body to the second body prior to movement of the locking collar from the second position to the first position. In certain examples, the first body further comprises a rotator lever configured to couple to the locking collar. In other examples, the first body further comprises three rotating balls configured to facilitate rotation of the locking collar. In some instances, the first body further comprises a ball retainer ring configured to retain the rotating balls in the first body. In other instances, the first body further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple the rotator lever to the locking collar.
In certain examples, the first end of the second body is separable from the second end of the second body, and in which the first end of the second body comprises a material that can receive an axial force from the first body to retain the second body to the first body without any substantial deformation of the first end of the second body. In some examples, the first end of the second body comprises hardened steel or a nickel chromium alloy, and in which the internal locking member is configured to rotate circumferentially about ninety degrees from the second position to the first position.
In an additional aspect, a fluid line attachment device configured to fluidically couple a first fluid line to a second fluid line separate from the first fluid line is described. For example, the attachment device comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the attachment device comprising an internal channel between the first end and the second end, the internal channel of the attachment device configured to receive the first fluid line and retain a selected length of the first fluid line in a fixed position outside of the first end of the attachment device, in which the attachment device comprises an opening configured to expose a longitudinal section of the first fluid line when the first fluid line is inserted into the internal channel of the attachment device, the opening configured to receive a retention device configured to engage the exposed section of the first fluid line in a first position of the retention device and disengage the exposed section of the first fluid line in a second position of the retention device.
In some configurations, the retention device is configured as an O-ring which slidingly engages the opening and the exposed section of the first fluid line in the first position of the retention device. In other instances, a body of the attachment device at the opening comprises a larger outer diameter than a body of the attachment device not at the opening.
In other instances, the retention device is configured as a leaf spring which engages the opening and the exposed section of the first fluid line in the first position of the retention device. In some examples, a body of the attachment device at the opening comprises a larger outer diameter than a body of the attachment device not at the opening.
In certain examples, the first end is configured to receive a fitting comprising an opening sized and arranged to receive the first fluid line. In other examples, the first end is configured to receive a ferrule comprising an internal opening configured to receive the first fluid line.
In some examples, the first end of the attachment device is separable from the second end of the attachment device. In other examples, the first end of the attachment device comprises a material that can withstand application of axial forces without substantial deformation. In certain embodiments, the first end comprises hardened steel or a nickel chromium alloy. In some examples, the second end comprises aluminum, hardened steel or a nickel chromium alloy.
In other configurations, the first end comprises about a same length as the selected length of the first fluid line in a fixed position outside of the first end.
In some configurations, the first end comprises a frustoconical shape configured to engage to a connector to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the connector and the fluid line attachment device. In some examples, the first end comprises a fitting comprising the frustoconical shape. In some examples, the fitting is configured to deform when the fitting engages the connector.
In another aspect, a connector configured to fluidically couple two separate fluid lines is disclosed. In some examples, the connector comprises an internal locking member configured to rotate circumferentially between a first position and a second position, the connector comprising a first end, a second end and a channel between the first end and the second end, the first end configured to fluidically couple to a first fluid line, wherein the internal locking member is configured to couple the connector to a component comprising a second fluid line in the first position of the internal locking member to retain the component comprising second fluid line within the channel of the connector and to fluidically couple the first fluid line to the second fluid line, in which the internal locking member is configured to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the second fluid line and the connector in the first position of the internal locking member.
In certain embodiments, the connector further comprises a first spring configured to provide a longitudinal force to the internal locking member to bias the internal locking member away from the first end of the connector in the second position of the internal locking member. In some examples, the internal locking member is configured as a locking collar that is configured to rotate circumferentially between the first position and the second position, in which the locking collar is further configured to move longitudinally toward the first end of the connector rotation from the second position to the first position. In other examples, the connector further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector. In some instances, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the component comprising the second fluid line into the locking collar and are configured to move radially inward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the second position to the first position to engage outer surfaces of the component comprising the second fluid line and retain the component to the connector through an interference fit between the locking balls and the component. In other examples, the locking collar is configured to rotate circumferentially to move the locking collar to a third position configured to provide a longitudinal force toward the first end of the connector to retain the component to the connector and provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component and the connector. In some examples, the third position of the locking collar is configured to provide the longitudinal force against a plurality of disc springs positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector, the plurality of disc springs configured to maintain the substantially fluid tight seal with temperature changes. In other examples, each of the disc springs comprises a nickel chromium alloy.
In some configurations, the connector further comprises a column lock housing, a lock ball cage configured to couple to the column lock housing, the lock ball cage configured to receive the pair of locking balls, and a spacer configured to couple to the lock ball cage and the locking collar, in which the spacer is further configured to spatially position at least one rotating ball. In certain instances, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple to the component and retain the connector to the component prior to movement of the locking collar from the second position to the first position. In some embodiments, the connector further comprises a rotator lever configured to couple to the locking collar. In certain examples, the connector further comprises three rotating balls configured to permit rotation of the locking collar. In some examples, the connector further comprises a ball retainer ring configured to retain the rotating ball in the connector. In certain instances, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple the rotator lever to the locking collar.
In some examples, the connector comprises threads at the first end.
In an additional aspect, an injector assembly comprises an injector inlet configured to receive a sample and provide at least some portion of the received sample to a separate fluid line, and a connector configured to couple to the injector inlet to fluidically couple the separate fluid line to the inlet of the injector, the connector comprising an internal locking member configured to rotate circumferentially between a first position and a second position, the connector comprising a first end, a second end and a channel between the first end and the second end, the first end configured to fluidically couple to the inlet of the injector and the second end configured to fluidically couple to the separate fluid line, in which the internal locking member of the connector is configured to couple the connector to a component comprising the separate fluid line in the first position of the internal locking member to retain the separate fluid line within the channel of the connector and to fluidically couple the separate fluid line to the injector inlet, in which the internal locking member is configured to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the connector in the first position of the internal locking member.
In certain examples, the connector further comprises a first spring configured to provide a longitudinal force to the internal locking member to bias the internal locking member away from the first end of the connector in the second position of the internal locking member. In some instances, the internal locking member is configured as a locking collar that is configured to rotate circumferentially between the first position and the second position, in which the locking collar is further configured to move longitudinally toward the first end of the connector upon rotation from the second position to the first position. In certain embodiments, the connector further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector. In certain examples, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the component comprising the separate fluid line into the locking collar and are configured to move radially inward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the second position to the first position to engage outer surfaces of the component comprising the separate fluid line to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector through an interference fit between the pair of locking balls and the component. In some examples, the locking collar is configured to rotate circumferentially to move the locking collar to a third position configured to provide a longitudinal force toward the first end of the connector to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector and provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the connector. In some examples, the third position of the locking collar is configured to provide the longitudinal force against a plurality of disc springs positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector, the plurality of disc springs configured to maintain the substantially fluid tight seal with temperature changes. In other examples, each of the disc springs comprises a nickel chromium alloy.
In certain embodiments, the connector further comprises a column lock housing, a lock ball cage configured to couple to the column lock housing, the lock ball cage configured to receive the pair of locking balls, and a spacer configured to couple to the lock ball cage and the locking collar, in which the spacer is further configured to spatially position at least one rotating ball. In other embodiments, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple to the component comprising the separate fluid line and retain the connector to the component comprising the separate fluid line prior to movement of the locking collar from the second position to the first position. In some examples, the connector further comprises a rotator lever configured to couple to the locking collar. In additional examples, the connector further comprises at three rotating balls to permit rotation of the locking collar. In some embodiments, the connector further comprises a ball retainer ring configured to retain the rotating ball in the connector. In certain examples, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple the rotator lever to the locking collar. In other examples, the connector comprises threads at the first end to couple the inlet to the connector.
In another aspect, an injector comprising an inlet fluidically coupled to an integral connector is described. In some configurations, the injector inlet is configured to receive a sample and provide at least some portion of the received sample to a separate fluid line, the integral connector configured to fluidically couple to the separate fluid line, the integral connector comprising an internal locking member configured to provide an axial force in a first position and release the axial force upon movement of the locking member from the first position to a second position, the integral connector comprising a first end, a second end and a channel between the first end and the second end, the first end fluidically coupled to the inlet of the injector and the second end configured to fluidically couple to the separate fluid line, in which the internal locking member of the integral connector is configured to couple the connector to a component comprising the separate fluid line in the first position of the internal locking member to retain the separate fluid line within the channel of the integral connector and to fluidically couple the separate fluid line to the injector inlet, in which the internal locking member is configured to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the integral connector in the first position of the internal locking member.
In certain embodiments, the connector further comprises a first spring configured to provide a longitudinal force to the internal locking member to bias the internal locking member away from the first end of the connector in the second position of the internal locking member. In some examples, the internal locking member is configured as a locking collar that is configured to rotate circumferentially between the first position and the second position, in which the locking collar is further configured to move longitudinally toward the first end of the connector upon rotation from the second position to the first position. In other examples, the connector further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector. In some examples, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the component comprising the separate fluid line into the locking collar and are configured to move radially inward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the second position to the first position to engage outer surfaces of the component comprising the separate fluid line to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector through an interference fit between the pair of locking balls and the component. In some instances, the locking collar is configured to rotate circumferentially to move the locking collar to a third position configured to provide a longitudinal force toward the first end of the connector to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector and provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the connector. In other instances, the third position of the locking collar is configured to provide the longitudinal force against a plurality of disc springs positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector, the plurality of disc springs configured to maintain the substantially fluid tight seal with temperature changes.
In certain embodiments, each of the disc springs comprises a nickel chromium alloy.
In other embodiments, the connector further comprises a column lock housing, a lock ball cage configured to couple to the column lock housing, the lock ball cage configured to receive the pair of locking balls, and a spacer configured to couple to the lock ball cage and the locking collar, in which the spacer is further configured to spatially position at least one rotating ball. In some instances, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple to the component comprising the separate fluid line and retain the connector to the component comprising the separate fluid line prior to movement of the locking collar from the second position to the first position. In certain examples, the connector further comprises a rotator lever configured to couple to the locking collar. In some embodiments, the connector further comprises three rotating balls configured to permit rotation of the locking collar. In certain examples, the connector further comprises a ball retainer ring configured to retain the rotating ball in the connector. In some examples, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple the rotator lever to the locking collar. In other examples, a first end of the connector comprises a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the second end of the connector.
In an additional aspect, a detector comprises an inlet configured to receive a sample from a separate fluid line, the inlet fluidically coupled to a detection device, and a connector configured to couple to the inlet to fluidically couple the separate fluid line to the inlet of the detector, the connector comprising an internal locking member configured to rotate circumferentially between a first position and a second position, the connector comprising a first end, a second end and a channel between the first end and the second end, the first end configured to fluidically couple to the inlet and the second end configured to fluidically couple to the separate fluid line, in which the internal locking member of the connector is configured to couple the connector to a component comprising the separate fluid line in the first position of the internal locking member to retain the separate fluid line within the channel of the connector and to fluidically couple the separate fluid line to the detection device, in which the internal locking member is configured to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the connector in the first position of the internal locking member.
In certain embodiments, the connector further comprises a first spring configured to provide a longitudinal force to the internal locking member to bias the internal locking member away from the first end of the connector in the second position of the internal locking member. In other embodiments, the internal locking member is configured as a locking collar that is configured to rotate circumferentially between the first position and the second position, in which the locking collar is further configured to move longitudinally toward the first end of the connector upon rotation from the second position to the first position. In some examples, the connector further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector. In certain instances, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the component comprising the separate fluid line into the locking collar and are configured to move radially inward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the second position to the first position to engage outer surfaces of the component comprising the separate fluid line to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector through an interference fit between the pair of locking balls and the component. In some examples, the locking collar is configured to rotate circumferentially to move the locking collar to a third position configured to provide a longitudinal force toward the first end of the connector to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector and provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the connector. In other examples, the third position of the locking collar is configured to provide the longitudinal force against a plurality of disc springs positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector, the plurality of disc springs configured to maintain the substantially fluid tight seal with temperature changes. In some embodiments, each of the disc springs comprises a nickel chromium alloy.
In certain configurations, the connector further comprises a column lock housing, a lock ball cage configured to couple to the column lock housing, the lock ball cage configured to receive the pair of locking balls, and a spacer configured to couple to the lock ball cage and the locking collar, in which the spacer is further configured to spatially position at least one rotating ball. In some examples, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple to the component comprising the separate fluid line and retain the connector to the component comprising the separate fluid line prior to movement of the locking collar from the second position to the first position. In certain examples, the connector further comprises a rotator lever configured to couple to the locking collar. In some examples, the connector further comprises three rotating balls configured to permit rotation of the locking collar. In certain embodiments, the connector further comprises a ball retainer ring configured to retain the rotating ball in the connector. In some examples, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple the rotator lever to the locking collar. In certain examples, the connector comprises threads at the first end to couple the inlet to the connector.
In another aspect, a detector comprises an inlet fluidically coupled to a detection device, the inlet comprising an integral connector configured to fluidically couple to a separate fluid line, the integral connector comprising an internal locking member configured to rotate circumferentially between a first position and a second position, the integral connector comprising a first end, a second end and a channel between the first end and the second end, the first end fluidically coupled to the inlet of the detection device and the second end configured to fluidically couple to the separate fluid line, in which the internal locking member of the integral connector is configured to couple the integral connector to a component comprising the separate fluid line in the first position of the internal locking member to retain the separate fluid line within the channel of the integral connector and to fluidically couple the separate fluid line to the detection device, in which the internal locking member is configured to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the integral connector in the first position of the internal locking member.
In certain examples, the connector further comprises a first spring configured to provide a longitudinal force to the internal locking member to bias the internal locking member away from the first end of the connector in the second position of the internal locking member. In some examples, the internal locking member is configured as a locking collar that is configured to rotate circumferentially between the first position and the second position, in which the locking collar is further configured to move longitudinally toward the first end of the connector upon rotation from the second position to the first position. In some embodiments, the connector further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector. In certain examples, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the component comprising the separate fluid line into the locking collar and are configured to move radially inward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the second position to the first position to engage outer surfaces of the component comprising the separate fluid line to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector through an interference fit between the pair of locking balls and the component. In some examples, the locking collar is configured to rotate circumferentially to move the locking collar to a third position configured to provide a longitudinal force toward the first end of the connector to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector and provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line and the connector. In some examples, the third position of the locking collar is configured to provide the longitudinal force against a plurality of disc springs positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector, the plurality of disc springs configured to maintain the substantially fluid tight seal with temperature changes.
In certain embodiments, each of the disc springs comprises a nickel chromium alloy.
In some examples, the connector further comprises a column lock housing, a lock ball cage configured to couple to the column lock housing, the lock ball cage configured to receive the pair of locking balls, and a spacer configured to couple to the lock ball cage and the locking collar, in which the spacer is further configured to spatially position at least one rotating ball. In some examples, the connector further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple the rotator lever to the locking collar.
Additional aspects, features, examples and embodiments are described in more detail below.
Certain configurations of connectors are described below with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
It will be recognized by the person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, that the sizes and dimensions of the components are not necessarily shown to scale.
Various components are described below in connection with connector assemblies which include two or more different components which can be coupled to each other and provide a substantially fluid tight connection which permits fluid from one component to flow to the other component. It will be recognized by the person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, that other components can be included in the connectors or certain components or portions of a connector can be omitted while permitting the connector to still provide a substantially tight fluid connection. For ease of illustration and to facilitate a better understanding of the technology, not every component of a particular connector is shown or described.
In certain examples, the connectors described herein may comprise a first body which is configured to receive a second body or component and retain the second body or component to the first body for at least some period. The connector may comprise suitable internal features to provide sufficient forces, e.g., axial forces, to the second body or component and retain the second body or component to the connector. For example, the connector may comprise one or more internal features which can reversibly couple to the second body or component through an interference fit and generally deter or prevent removal of the second body or component from the connector until the forces which maintain the interference fit are released or removed. In some instances, the provided force may be a radially inward force which acts to retain the second body within the connector. In other configurations, the connector may also provide a longitudinal force, in addition to the inward radial force or in place of the inward radial force, to retain the second body or component to the connector. These forces act, at least in part, to couple the second body or component to the connector and provide a fluid tight seal between the connector and the second body or other component. In some instances, the connector can be configured to permit a user to couple the second body or component to the connector without the use of any tools, without using any external fasteners, or in certain configurations even with one hand.
In some configurations and referring to
In certain instances, the connectors described herein may comprise a lever, handle or other component configured to couple to a locking member to facilitate circumferential rotation of the locking member. For example and referring to
In certain configurations and referring to
In certain examples, a component to be coupled to the connector can be sized and arranged to insert into the connector (at least to some extent) to permit the internal locking member of the connector to couple the connector to the component. One illustration of a component is shown in
In the configuration shown in
In certain examples, the component to be coupled to the connector may comprise one or more features to facilitate coupling of the fluid line, column or other fluidic device to the component itself. Referring to
Referring now to
In certain embodiments and referring to
In certain configurations and referring to
To assemble the connector 800, the disc springs 833a, 833b, 833c are preassembled to the to lock ball cage 830, install lock balls 827a-827d into lock ball cage 830, place locking member 845 onto lock ball cage 830. Retainer clip is installed to keep subassembly together. Retainer clip 826 is inserted into lock ball cage 830. The liner seal 810 can be placed on top of the main body 820 or it can be omitted. The spring 825 is inserted into the bottom of the body 820 followed by inserting the subassembly mentioned above. The ball spacer 835 is the inserted from the bottom of the body 820 followed by the rotator balls 837a, 837b, and 837c. The ball retainer ring 840 is then inserted and the bottom of main body 820 is formed over ball retainer ring 840 to retain the entire assembly. Some portion of the locking member 845 will protrude from the bottom surface of the body 820 and the handle 850 can be engaged to the locking member 845 and secured by retainer clip 856.
As shown in
In certain examples, the exact configuration of the lock balls and the rotator balls may vary. In some instances, each of the lock balls 827a-d and the rotator balls 837a-c may comprise hardened steel or other components. In some examples, the lock balls 827a-827d may comprise hardened steel which can engage a hardened steel first end of a component to be coupled to the connector 800, e.g., an interference fit between the lock balls 827a-827d and the first end of the component to be coupled to the connector 800 may result. For example, the lock balls 827a-d may comprise 1-3 mm diameter steel balls. The number of lock balls is not critical, and in certain instances, two, three, four, five or more lock balls may be present in the connector. With reference to the rotating balls 837a-837c, these balls may comprise 1-3 mm diameter balls as well, and there may be two, three, four, five or more rotating balls as desired. The body 820 may comprise threads 813 or other features which can couple to a separate fluid line or fluidic device (not shown). For example, the threads may be configured to couple the body 820 to an injector, a detector, a manifold or other devices which can provide or receive a fluid. As noted herein, the disc springs 833a-833c typically comprise a high temperature material that can provide suitable forces to retain the fluid tight seal between the connector 800 and a second component over a wide temperature range. Illustrative materials include, but are not limited to, titanium, alumina, nickel chromium alloys such as Inconel® alloys and other high temperature materials. The locking member 845 may take many different configurations such as a collar or other device which can receive a second body to be coupled to the connector 800.
In certain embodiments,
Referring now to
In certain instances, the connectors described herein can be used to fluidically couple two separate fluid lines to each other. Referring to
In other configurations, the connectors described herein may be present on a surface of a device or instrument to facilitate fluidic coupling of an external fluid line to one or more internal fluid paths within the device or instrument. Referring to
In some embodiments, the connectors described herein can be integral to a component or device of a chromatography system. For example, the connector may be an integral part of an injector configured to receive a sample. Referring to
In certain examples, the connector 1230 may be configured similar to any of the connectors described herein. For example, the connector 1230 may comprise an internal locking ball or balls which can apply an axial force to an inserted component and retain that inserted component through an interference fit. In other configurations, the connector 1230 further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector 1230, e.g., the end near the coupler 1225. In some examples, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the component (e.g., a body similar to that of
In some configurations, while the connector 1230 is shown as being coupled to the inlet 1210 through a fluid line 1220, if desired, the fluid line 1220 can be omitted and the connector 1230 and inlet 1210 may form an integral injector. Referring to
In certain instances, the connector 1310 further comprises a first spring configured to provide a longitudinal force to the internal locking member to bias the internal locking member away from the first end of the connector 1310 in the second position of the internal locking member. In other instances, the internal locking member is configured as a locking collar that is configured to rotate circumferentially between the first position and the second position. In some embodiments, the connector 1310 further comprises a pair of internal locking balls positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector 1310. In some examples, the pair of locking balls are configured to move radially outward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the first position to the second position to permit insertion of the component comprising the separate fluid line 1325 into the locking collar and are configured to move radially inward when the locking collar is rotated circumferentially from the second position to the first position to engage outer surfaces of the component comprising the separate fluid line 1325 to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line to the connector 1310. In certain examples, the locking collar is configured to rotate circumferentially even further to move the locking collar to a third position configured to provide a longitudinal force toward the first end of the connector to retain the component comprising the separate fluid line 1325 to the connector 1310 and provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the component comprising the separate fluid line 1325 and the connector 1310. In some embodiments, the third position of the locking collar is configured to provide the longitudinal force against a plurality of disc springs positioned between the locking collar and the first end of the connector 1310, the plurality of disc springs configured to maintain the substantially fluid tight seal with temperature changes. In some examples, each of the disc springs comprises a nickel chromium alloy.
In further embodiments, the connector 1310 further comprises a column lock housing configured to receive the first spring, a lock ball cage configured to couple to the column lock housing (e.g., a second end of the connector 1310), the lock ball cage configured to receive the pair of locking balls, and a spacer configured to spatially position at least one rotating ball. In certain instances, the connector 1310 further comprises a rotator lever configured to couple to the locking collar. In some examples, the connector 1310 further comprises at least one rotating ball configured to facilitate insertion of the component comprising the separate fluid line 1325 into the connector 1310. In certain embodiments, the connector 1310 further comprises a ball retainer ring configured to retain the rotating ball in the connector 1310. In some instances, the connector 1310 further comprises a retainer clip configured to couple to the rotating lever to couple the rotating lever to the locking member. In some embodiments, a first end of the connector 1310 comprises a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the second end of the connector 1310.
In certain configurations, a detector may comprise an integral coupler. Referring to
In certain examples, the connectors described herein can be used or integrated with one or more columns. For example, the connector can be present at one or both ends of a column. Illustrations are shown in
In certain embodiments, the connectors described herein can be used to provide 3-way coupling of various fluid lines. For example, the connectors can be integrated into a T-shaped device or manifold which comprises one, two, three or more connectors and optionally internal valves or other structures to permit three way coupling. In some instances, the connectors can be part of, or coupled to, a 3-way solenoid valve. Referring to
In certain embodiments, the connectors described herein can be used to provide 4-way coupling of various fluid lines. For example, the connectors can be integrated into a manifold which comprises one, two, three, four or more connectors and optionally internal valves or other structures to permit three way coupling. In some instances, the connectors can be part of, or coupled to, a 3-way solenoid valve, a binary solenoid or other suitable valves positioned in various arms of the body of the connector. Referring to
When introducing elements of the examples disclosed herein, the articles “a,” “an,” “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. It will be recognized by the person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, that various components of the examples can be interchanged or substituted with various components in other examples.
Although certain aspects, examples and embodiments have been described above, it will be recognized by the person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, that additions, substitutions, modifications, and alterations of the disclosed illustrative aspects, examples and embodiments are possible.
This application is related to, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/420,502 filed on Nov. 10, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62420502 | Nov 2016 | US |